10s Movie Review - Automata

Director: Gabe Ibanez
Genre: Science Fiction/ Action/ Drama
Runtime: 109 minutes
Year: 2014
Starring: Antonio Banderas, Dylan McDermott, Melanie Griffith, Robert Forster, Javier Bardem

I WATCHED THIS MOVIE FOR MY 2023 MOVIE CHALLENGE.
WEEK 28: A MOVIE WITH A ROBOT, CYBORG OR A.I. CHARACTER

Description: Human race is at edge of te end. Robot race is at edge of the beginning.

Review: In the year 2044, only twenty million souls live on a largely scorched earth. However, robots have joined them, doing all kinds of chores. Robot rules dictate that they don’t mess with people or themselves, but as it goes, some robots develop a drive of their own.

A movie I think is better then most people say it is. Great set design and an interesting story. It has some really strong scenes and Antonio Banderas is pretty good in his role. The flaw remains that the film limps between two minds: robot rebellion and family man worries. And that’s one thought too many.

Rating: 3 / 5
 

00s Movie Review - Runaway Jury

Director: Gary Fleder
Genre: Crime/ Thriller/ Drama
Runtime: 127 minutes
Year: 2003
Starring: John Cusack, Rachel Weisz, Gene Hackman, Dustin Hoffman, Bruce Davison, Bruce McGill, Jeremy Piven, Cliff Curtis, Leland Orser, Jennifer beals, Bill Nunn, Luis Guzman, Nora Dunn, Dylan McDermott

Description: A juror on the inside (John Cusack) and a woman on the outside (Rachel Weisz) manipulate a court trial involving a major gun manufacturer.

Review: Rankin Fitch is a ruthless jury consultant who must select a jury for a revolutionary trial to ensure its verdict. He fears nothing or no one. One the trial begins, it turns out that the selection of one juror can cause problems. He finds himself in a situation that shows he doesn’t know his opponent as well as he initially thought after all.

The films starts with a gruesome shooting in an office that kills many people. We are then place two years later when it is revealed that the shooting caused a trial to now take place that should set a precedent. The wife of one of the men killed is suing the gun manufacturer because it caused guns to be easy to get.

On one side us the conscientious lawyer Wendell Rohr. On the other, the man who is one the side of the gun manufacturer and who actually ges paid for it if the trial is won: Rankin Fitch. His job is to make sure who gets on the jury, because justice in the USA is still left to juries, so it is important to know the people on the jury well. Fitch’s team takes this very seriously and also very far.

Both parties are given a list of names and files of all the people who were called for jury duty, for them to decide which of them will actually be on that jury. Fitch thinks that they got this one, but someone within the jury is there with a purpose.

It is based on a John Grisham novel, an author known for his court dramas. But “Runaway Jury” is one of my favorites and it’s not your standard court drama either. We get to experience how incredibly flawed the jury system is. This movie is about manipulation, corruption, extortion and so on. And even though this movie came out in the early 2000s, this film is still so topical.

“Runaway Jury” is a very strong crime thriller with some surprising twists throughout and a fantastic cast. A movie that is underrated if you ask me.

Rating: 4/ 5

100 Movie Challenge 2014 - # 33: The Perks of Being a Wallflower

Director: Stephen Chbosky

Genre: Drama/ Romance

Runtime: 103 minutes

Year: 2012

Starring: Logan Lerman, Emma Watson, Ezra Miller, Kate Walsh, Dylan McDermott, Paul Rudd, Joan Cusack, Nina Dobrev, Melanie Lynskey

Description: The 15-year-old Charlie (Logan Lerman) is an endearing and naive outsider, coping with first love, the suicide of his best friend, and his own mental illness while struggling to find a group of people with whom he belongs. The introvert freshman is taken under the wings of two seniors, Sam (Emma Watson) and Patrick (Ezra Miller), who welcome him to the real world.

Review: Charlie had a rough year and doesn’t have any hope for it to get better this year. He even starts counting down the days he has left going to school.

The American Stephen Chbosky wrote the book with the same title, made it into a script and decided to direct the movie himself. Because who else then the author knows the book the best? And it’s visible, “The Perks of Being a Wallflower” is a fantastic film that makes you remember the John Hughes films from the 80’s. He can’t avoid the typical high school clichés, but because the film has an authentic feel to it, that never bothers you. With that the plot is much more original then other movies in the genre.

It’s hard not to see Hermione Granger when you watch Emma Watson, but she managed to make you forget about her Harry Potter past. It’s obvious that Watson is a good actress. Leading actor Logan Lerman is very convincing as the vulnerable and fragile Charlie and Ezra Miller’s performance is very impressive as the flamboyant Patrick. The three also have great chemistry. All the actors touch you and you can sympathize with all of the characters.

“The Perks of Being a Wallflower” is made with a lot of love, which sometimes gave me goose bumps. That scene in the tunnel especially. A perfect mix of drama, humor and romance with a pleasant nostalgic feel to it.

Rating: 4,5/ 5